The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

For the next few days, Aria, in thought, soon expressed her intention to invest in a letter sent by Asher under the pseudonym of Pinonua Louie. The opponent was Asher, and not to mention it was an opportunity to associate herself with the royal family.

There was no better opportunity to build a perfect foundation. ‘How would he react when I later state that Investor A is me? If she raised the meeting a little bit more, it would be enough to surpass the count family.’

Since he had somewhat confided in himself, she had a guilty conscience about using him to hide her identity, but this was not the time to think of, because Mielle’s end was drawing near. She put the salad in her mouth, wondering how she could drop Mielle into hell.

“So I’m wondering what kind of dress to wear for the Marquis’s engagement.”

It was a story about the engagement ceremony of the Marquis of Vincent, which would be later. Of course, the Count and Countess were also scheduled to attend. No matter how recently he raised the Crown Prince’s hand, as the Marquis still adhered to the Moderate Party, several nobles would attend regardless of the faction.

“Aria, don’t you have to fit in a dress, too?” asked the countess. She seemed to mean that all the nobles would gather, and Aria should decorate as beautifully as possible. But it wasn’t necessary, for there was already something in her hand that could not be compared to any fancy dress.

“No, I’ve already prepared.”

There was a dress that Sarah had just sent. Sarah suggested that she would wear it in line with herself. It wasn’t a fancy dress as a bride, but it was a design that didn’t lack standing by her.

“But it’s the engagement ceremony of a lady who is a good friend with.”

The countess’s face was full of laughter. It was after the rumors about Sarah had already spread, calling her rise in the status of the century.

Mielle asked if she had not yet recognized Sarah, who was Aria’s tutor, and what it meant.

“Is Aria… a good friend with her? What do you mean, mother?”

“Mielle, you’ve seen her many times, too. I’m speaking about Sarah, who was Aria’s tutor. She’s the fiancée of the Marquis of Vincent.”

“… what?”

The Count also asked back whether he had heard it for the first time because he had not been interested in the tutor.

Then Aria answered, wiping her mouth.

“The Marquis seemed to be in love with Sarah’s sweetheart. He was so nice to me when I visited him last time.”

There was no appearance of shyness as usual, for she thought there was nothing more to lose to that ugly Mielle except her status. The apparent response deepened the countess’s smile. It was her first sincere smile in a long time.

* * *

From the day he had found out Aria had ties to Sarah, the Count continuously asked Aria how Sarah and the Marquis of Vincent had been doing. And every time he was delighted to say that it was a very good chance. He didn’t even care about Aria until recently, but when she saw such a sudden change, she thought he was a merchant with a quick calculation.

But there was one thing he overlooked; if she had been in the past, she might have been jubilant about the attention of her new father, but not now. She had nothing to offer to anyone who only thought of her as the only object of his use.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say hello to your home teacher because I was on a business trip for a long time.”

It was obvious that he wouldn’t have paid attention if he hadn’t gone on a business trip, but the Count made a false remark.

“Aria, I’m so glad you’re here. I have to see the Duke.” The Count said, drinking wine as if he were relieved.

Aria gently raised her mouth at the sight. He was foolish enough to think, without a little doubt, that she was on his side to fulfill his wishes. He had no idea that she was an enemy who was in contact with the Crown Prince, who was creating her own power, and who was always looking for a chance to kill him.

“That’s right. I’m glad you had a good relationship, too.”

Mielle pretended not to care much. Aria was sure Mielle was very interested in Sarah, who would be the Marquis’s wife.

‘No, Mielle would think she wouldn’t need my help.’

Nor was it too much for her, as the most aristocratic women hoped to get to know Mielle. Mielle seemed quite surprised that Sarah, who was Aria’s tutor, became his wife, but she was not otherwise nervous because she had the full support of the princess Isis, who would soon become the wife of the Crown Prince.

“Miss, a letter has arrived.”

When she went up to her room after an unusual meal with the Count, Jessie handed her a letter as if she had waited.

“Where did it come from?”

“I don’t know. It’s all that Asher sent.”

“… Asher?”

Surprised, Aria picked up a letter from Jessie in a haphazard manner as she was about to sit on the sofa. He had said he would send a letter, but she couldn’t believe he was sending it at such an early date. When she hurriedly opened it and checked the contents, it contained quite friendly words, unlike the brief letter he had sent earlier.

[I’m afraid you will catch a cold because it’s cold.]

Oh, my God. Except for the first time she had met him in the general store, it was a pretty friendly tone, but after she had found out who he was, she hesitated whether she should respond.

“Miss?”

Jessie questioned her who repeatedly read the short letter in her hand. She seemed worried if there were any strange contents written on it.

Aria had exchanged letters with Asher over and over again. And she had talked about business a few days ago. Whatever this was, fever rose in her face, and Aria shook her head to try to regain her composure.

“He said he’ll be back next week for an answer.”

“… Who?”

“Well? I thought he was an errand boy.”

He couldn’t come all the way here, as he was busy. When she thought it was natural, she regained some composure. So she was able to write a reply, without delay, full of trivial matters of everyday life and regards for Asher.

Aria, who put her reply in the drawer, said to Jessie, “Let me know when the errand boy arrives.”

“Yes, Miss.”

In the meantime, the engagement day between the Marquis of Vincent and Sarah came. Aria, wearing a light pink dress that was not shown to the Countess, looked in the mirror and checked her appearance.

“Miss! Why don’t you wear this necklace?”

Annie, dressed as Aria, showed up with a colorful necklace. It was because Aria’s dress seemed boring to suit Sarah’s taste. Jessie, who was touching Aria’s hair, opened her eyes wide and agreed.

“Ugh? Was there a necklace like this? I think it’s going to look really good on you!”

“This…”

It was a necklace from Asher which she had hidden in the corner of the dressing room. Dress and other accessories were also included, but they were hidden because they were too colorful to wear.

“Try a look at it!”

Annie screamed a little when she tried to put the necklace on Aria’s neck. Jessie, who was watching next to her, also clapped her hands and said, “Oh, my God. Whatever you wear, it looks so good on you, isn’t it?”

“These colorful necklaces often look fluffy at times.”

Apparently, the original look of her birth was brilliant, so she naturally mixed it up with a necklace that could make her look burdensome or poppy.

On the surface, she was not in a good position to go out, and she didn’t intend to decorate herself colorfully since today’s main character was Sarah, a bride, but when she put on the necklace, it matched well and her eyes followed it.

“… then, shall I only wear this necklace?”

“It’s a shame to have a necklace… That would be better than doing nothing!”

After wearing the necklace, she finished off with a glittering jewel powder on her hair, and Aria, dressed enough to hold the spectator’s breath, went down to the first floor.

“… oh my god, Aria. How can you be so beautiful?”

“Hmm. You are very beautiful because you look like your mother.”

The Count and Countess, who had been preparing in advance and giving orders to their servants near the front door of the mansion, were deeply moved to see Aria.